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Water Lecture: Perspectives from West Africa

On Wednesday, 13 July 2011, the next lecture in the series will cover the topic “Water,
Culture and Development: Perspectives from West Africa”. The scientists Emmanuel Akpabio, Irit Eguavoen and Wolfram Laube from the Center for
Development Research (ZEF) will reflect on the topic of water,
culture and development, give insights from their field experience, draw
conclusions and want to discuss with the audience if and how water culture and
water development should or could be linked more closely. The lecture takes place 5.00 - 6.30 p.m. at ZEF (right conference room).

Background information on the
water lecture:

Water, Culture and Development: Perspectives from West Africa

Water is a central theme in many of the world cultures. Water resources in
their different forms are part of founding myths of societies, attract
spiritual beliefs and are surrounded by local knowledge, norms, values, as well
as clear regulations and even taboos that determine the way in which water is
treated, distributed, shared or protected. Like in the realm of custom,
tradition and religion, water has attracted widespread attention in the world
of development. The creation of hydraulic infrastructure, the provision of safe
drinking water supplies and sanitation, but also water management and the
environmental protection of water resources are issues that have been the focus
of development organizations and projects long before the World-Water Decade of
1990s, and are currently at the heart of many of the Millennium Development
Goals of the UN.

While local culture, belief, values and norms are regularly referred to in
water policy documents, water programs and projects often do not take stock of,
document and engage with local water knowledge and culture. The implementation
of water sector programs is thus often accompanied by unanticipated dynamics,
such as conflicts, boycotts and local disengagement, which may be problematic
for project implementation but may also disrupt the local cultural and social
fabric. Dwelling on long-standing research experience in Ghana and Nigeria three
scientists from the centre for Development Research (ZEF), Dr Emmanuel
Akpabio, Dr Irit Eguavoen and Dr Wolfram Laube, will reflect on the topic of
water, culture and development, give insights from their field experience, draw
conclusions and want to discuss with the audience if and how water culture and
water development should or could be linked more closely.